New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-03
GLADSTONE AND TEyYYSoM

IL is Interesting 10 see with what differing per-
ceptous Gladstone aud rennyson review their
past. Tho former sees in the fifty years Of the
Victorian era n steady march of progress and
Improvement Tho latter finds in the results OF this
half-century matter for little else than regret aud
rrproof. OF course tho radical divergence In tile
views OF two such acute and com oetent observers
must Lo attributed IN part TO temperamental differ
ences. Tennyson has q prescriptiyo right. in hts
character of poet. To tho SAD vaticinatiyo numor
and 1t is mistake to say that ho 10 now exhibiting
gloomy forebodings for the first time. The original
" Locksey Hall" abounds with sombre questo on
ings OF tho current tendencies, aud though its
prevailing tone Is hopeful it cannot TO called
optimistic. The philosophy of In Momoram." OF
The Two Voices" OF" Maud aud of many other
of the Laureates pro iuctiOns. Is melancholy and
dubious of the future, If not pessimistic. Even
among his earliest looms. anch as Lucretius" tho
same tone is heard. 1t has been present as an
accompaniment 10 his more hopeful poems, sound
ing ttlully plantiye minor key
The temperament of Gladstone Is sangunc All
his life no has been bnoyod up by al exuberant
vitality, while the absorption of his energies IN
practical legislation has trained HIM to concrete
aud definite views of life. 1t is to DO observed.
however. that his outlook has nothing in common
with the Laureatc's. Tho statesman hnls no d'iti
to amcliorato the condition of the poor to facilitate
tho spread of knowledge and the freedom oil
deliLcratioD, to protect the workingman against
the greed or indifference of his employer to pro-
mote education To relieve the taxpayer TO aboilsh
old abuses. to purity in the pubic service
and generally TO make life easier to tho people IL
is not 10 DO supposed that Teunyson would dispute
any Of the points ado by tho exPremicr in regard
To material progress lie might indeed point to the
recognition of this kind of progress in his own
poems. But he would probably defend himself from
the charge of misrepresenting his age by asserting
that be and Gladstone are not discussing the same
order of things. The truth perhaps lies between
tue two conflicting views. neither OF which Is
wholly right wholly wrong. Gladstones gaze
fixed upon the practical material prosperity OF
England. proof of the growth OF which in the last
aalf-century is easy. Tennyson for his part per-
eejyes only the signs and evidences OF spiritual
decadence and these may very we'll co-exist with
all the advances of which Gladstone boasts.
The poet feels tho spread Of scepticism, of
materialsm Of Phili,tinism. lle believes that the
very plethora of wealth which is OF the signs of
the times may DO means of retrogressiou rather
than of Development; that tho increase of luxury
aud the cOmplexity Of modern wants are not
necessarily working together for good that the
decay Of faith. the growth Of cynicism, the
augmentation OF all carnal aud sensuOus pleasures
and indulgences. indicate q general degradation;
and that all this bacasliding may proceed In
parallels with an external appearance Of flourish
ing prosperity. OF course 1t 10 open to any one to